The University of Health Sciences held its first Discipline-Specific Faculty Council (DSFC) session for Oncology on Wednesday, bringing together leading clinicians and researchers to discuss emerging trends in cancer care and medical training.
The session was academically hosted by Allama Iqbal Medical College under the guidance of Prof Kausar Bano, Head of Oncology at Jinnah Hospital, along with her team members, Asst Prof Fareeha Sheikh, Dr Amna and Dr Zeeshan Murshid.
Director Postgraduate Studies Prof Asif Naveed opened the meeting and said that these councils will help strengthen faculty development and improve academic standards across institutions.
Prof Kausar Bano walked participants through the latest global guidelines in Oncology, placing special focus on immunotherapy and its growing role in treating aggressive cancers. Fareeha Sheikh explained how clinicians can manage immunotherapy-related toxicities, including T-cell hyperactivation, cytokine storms and checkpoint failures.
Dr Amna presented the 2025 updates in breast cancer management, while Dr Zeeshan Murshid briefed attendees on adult vaccination guidelines for cancer patients.
The event closed with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof Ahsan Waheed Rathore, who underscored the need for teamwork, better cooperation between laboratories and clinical departments, and long-term investment in research. He shared plans for upcoming diagnostic services at UHS and encouraged the launch of a central oncology dashboard to support clinical decision-making. He added that students will receive full support for their research work and said the university stands ready to back institutions and young investigators across the province.
